Melaloncha rhypopoda, Brown, 2004

Brown, Brian V., 2004, Revision of the subgenus Udamochiras of Melaloncha beekilling flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Metopininae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 140 (1), pp. 1-42 : 22-23

MELALONCHA RHYPOPODA SP. NOV. ( FIG. 52 )

Recognition. This species is extremely similar to M. individa , but tarsomere 3 of the fore leg is dark brown (in addition to tarsomeres 4 and 5) and the ovipositor is shallower in lateral view. Also, the tarsal claws are divided in this species, as they are in most other Udamochiras .

Description. Body length 2 mm. Frons black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Frons 0.4 head width; with fine reticulate sculpturing, slightly shiny, with small punctures and small, black setulae restricted to lateral one-third. Median furrow present. Frontal setae normal; arrangement of frontal setae unmodified, with ventral interfrontal setae near venter of frons. Dorsal interfrontal setae present, equal in length to postocellar setae, slightly dorsal to level of dorsal fronto-orbital setae. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, except tarsomeres 3–5 dark brown; fore tarsomeres expanded, short. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.8 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 slightly expanded. Pulvilli of fore leg large. Tarsal claws of all legs small, finely bifurcate at apex. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown, with tarsomeres 4–5 and apex of tarsomere 3 of mid leg dark brown dorsally. Costa 0.45 wing length. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor laterally compressed in apical onehalf, with sinuous lateral ridge, strongly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor minute, sparse. Ventrally, ovipositor with minute, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor smooth, shiny.

Host. The holotype was collected on the flowers of a Phoenix palm, where numerous Trigona hyalinata amazonensis (Ducke) and A. mellifera were foraging. No oviposition attempts were observed.

Geographical distribution. Bolivia.

Etymology. Greek adjective for ‘dirty feet’, referring to the dark-coloured fore tarsomeres.

Holotype. ♀, BOLIVIA: La Paz: Coroico, Hotel Don Quixote , 16.19∞S, 67.72∞W, 5.iv.2001, B. Brown, on Phoenix palm flowers, 1750 m [ LACM ENT 128382 ] ( CBFC).

Figures

Figures 48–55. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Figs 48–50: dorsal. Figs 51–55: left lateral.